Apparatus for treating cotton fibers



, June 24, 1969 J. E. NMFA 3,451,105

APPARATUS FOR TREATING COTTON FIBERS Filed Feb. 25, 1967 @3g GiN STAND IIOV 5 1 f\ m 3 1 o lLl 1 l D u .1 INVENTOR domes E. Noyfo z (s BY \1 ATTORNEY United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 19-66 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The invention, in summary, is designed to prevent deterioration of cotton fibers during the ginning process and to preserve the staple and luster thereof. The inventive concept comprises the provision of a method of treating seed cotton prior to introduction to the ginning process, and apparatus for carrying out the method which consists of a pressurized ilow of a cationic treating compound and valved means for automatically spraying the cotton with predetermined quantities thereof in its movement through the cleaning devices, and prior to its admission to the gin stands.

The apparatus generally comprises a reservoir contain ing the treating compound, located in operative association with the cotton cleaning devices in the ginning plant, and a air compressor unit by which the compound is irnpelled through conduits and sprayed into the presence of the cotton in its passage through the cleaning stages. Valve controlled spraying devices are installed in suitable locations in the cleaning system and electronic sensors are provided to control the valves according to the volume of cotton Ibeing processed through the system.

Summary This invention relates to an apparatus for treating cotton fibers to improve their quality and enhance their luster during the ginning operations, and it has particular reference to apparatus by' which such treatment can be accomplished.

A prime object of the invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus `by which cotton libers can be uniformly treated prior to the ginning process to enhance their grade as to staple and luster and generally improve the product as to marketability and spinning qualities in the textile industry where uniformity in ber lengths is important.

Yet another object of the invention is that of providing a means by which ginning operations can be accomplished more e'iciently, with a minimum of shut-down periods due to the build-up of seed cotton on the grid bars or ribs in the gin stands, and in the cleaning apparatus, by improving the texture and staple length of the libers to render them amenable to the action of the gin saws in enhancing their tensility and minimizing the tendency toward brittleness especially under arid atmospheric conditions.

Another object of the invention is that of minimizing or eliminating static electricity which is generally prevalent in the processing of cotton bers, and which presents an undesirable problem to gin operators.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a method and apparatus by which cotton libers can be uniformly treated by applying thereto a non-flammable and non-toxic liquid compound in the form of a mist or fog spray to coat each individual ber with a protective shield as though the natural wax is restored.

Description of the drawings While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will ybecome apparent as the description pro- 3,451,105 Patented June 24, 1969 vICC ceeds when considered in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration fragmentarily showing an arrangement of cotton cleaners, a conveyer distributor, and gin stands, and showing the arrangement of conduits, spray nozzles and valves through which the compound is applied.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end view of one of the cleaner elements showing the induction nozzle assembly applied thereto, and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged View of a nozzle and valve assembly installed in a cleaner device.

Detailed description The application of the invention to a conventional gin plant is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 1 in which is only partially illustrated a plurality of typical cleaners 10 and 11 from which the seed cotton is fed into a conveyer distributor 12 and is transmitted to a series of gin stands 13 and 14 where the iibers or lint is removed from the seed. The arrangement is conventional and the number of gin stands is optional.

Typical installations of conventional cleaning machines may include a series of preliminary cleaners (not shown) in `which the seed cotton is subjected to a cleaning operation to remove therefrom the bulk of the extraneous substances such as leaves, burs and stems whereupon the yet unginned cotton is conveyed to the cleaners 10 and 11 for a linal cleaning before entering the gin stands 13 and 14.

The treating compound comprises a blend of organic and inorganic elements in a water base and possesses cationic characteristics. The liquid composition is contained in a tank or reservoir 15 located conveniently near the ginning equipment and is applied to the seed cotton through a system of conduits 16, 17 and 18 by a pump unit 19. Compressed air is supplied by a compressor 20 through conduits 21, 22 and 23.

It is important that the treating compound be applied to the fibers in mist or fog spray, and for this reason it is injected through a nozzle 24 supported as by a bracket 25 on the wall 26 of each of the cleaners 10 and 11, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The nozzle assembly 24 comprises a barrel 27 having a substantially conical discharge element 28, the orifice therein being adjusted by a needle valve (not shown) whose stem 29 is threaded into the barrel 27, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The fluid conduits 17 and 18 are connected into the nozzle assemblies 24 through nipples 30 and fittings 31 threaded into the barrels 27. The conduits 17 and 18 are connected to the nipples 30 through a valve 32 which is controlled by a solenoid 33 which also controls air valves 34 to which the air conduits 22 and 23 are connected. The solenoid 33 is activated by a micro-switch 35 located in the inlet passage or throat 36 of each `gin stand 13 and 14, an electrical conductor 37 being provided to energize each of the solenoids 33 to simultaneously inject the treating compound and compressed air to atomize the liquid into a mist or fog spray by which a uniform coating can be applied to the cotton fibers.

In each of the throat members 36 of the gin stands is arranged a sensing element 38 operatively connected to each of the micro-switches 35, as shown in FIGURE 1, which is actuated by the movement of the seed cotton passing through the throat members 36 into the stands 13 and 14. The volume of cotton flowing into each of the stands controls the operation of the micro-switch 35 therein and thus determines the amount of the cationic compound applied to the bers through the nozzle assembly 24, shown in FIGURE 3.

It is to be noted that each of the electrical conductors 37 are connected through a separate circuit (not shown) in the pump unit 19 from a source 39 so that when any of the micro-switches 35 are closed the pump unit 19 is actuated as Well as the solenoids 33 since it is desirable to operate the pump or the solenoid valves 32 and 34 in each cleaner unit 10 or 11 only when cotton is in passage therefrom into the gin stands 13 or 14, either individually or collectively, or as the seed cotton is fed thereto from the cleaner units.

The invention, while it is here described in substantial detail, is nevertheless capable of certain changes and modification as to arrangement of parts and the method of application of the treating compound without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for treating cotton bers with a cationic liquid compound in a cotton gin to enhance their staple and general quality, in combination with a series of cleaning units and gin stands in said cotton gin, and a conveyor connecting said clean-ing units with said gin stands, a reservoir for said compound and a conduit for conveying the compound to each of said cleaning units under pressure, a spray nozzle connected in the conduit in each of said cleaning units and a valve in each nozzle, electronic means comprising a micro-switch for independently actuating each of said valves to inject said compound in the form of a mist into said cleaning unit when a quantity of cotton is passed therethrough, a sensing element in each gin stand responsive to a predetermined volume of cotton therein for closing the micro-switch to actuate the valve, said switch remaining closed as long as said predetermined volume of cotton is maintained in said gin stand.

2. In apparatus for spraying seed cotton bers in a cotton gin to improve the quality of said bers prior to ginning the cotton, in combination with a series of cleaning units and gin stands, a conveyor connecting the cleaning units with the gin stands, a reservoir containing a cationic liquid compound having a flow conduit for said compound connecting said reservoir With each of said cleaning units, a pump unit connected to said conduits for impelling said compound therethrough, a spray nozzle in each cleaning unit connected to the conduit therein, means for injecting compressed air through said nozzle simultaneously with the injection of said compound therethrough to atomize said compound, electronic valve means in each cleaning unit for controlling the flow of said compound and said compressed air and a sensing element in each of said gin stands for actuating said valve means when acted upon by a predetermined volume of cotton passing into said gin stand from said cleaning units, the said switch remaining closed as long as said predetermined volume of cotton is maintained in said gin stand.

3. In apparatus for spraying cotton bers as described -in claim 2, the said electronic valve means having a solenoid connected in an electrical circuit, and said sensing elements having operative connection with microswitches in said circuit whereby to open and close said circuit when acted on by cotton flowing from said cleaning units into said gin stands.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,019,079 10/1935 Herring 19-66 3,324,513 6/1967 Hurdt 19-66 DORSEY NEWTON, Primary Examiner. 

